Finish all probes in reasonable time, HC tells police

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday ordered the state director general of police and the Mumbai police commissioner to issue a circular to get all police investigations completed in reasonable time, reports HT Correspondent.

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday ordered the state director general of police and the Mumbai police commissioner to issue a circular to get all police investigations completed in reasonable time.

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The issue was brought to the notice of the court through a petition filed by a city resident whose case the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) had investigated over the last eight years.

The complaint was filed by Dadar-based Bhagyashree Lele in November 2000, the FIR was lodged in January 2002.

A division bench comprising Justice P B Majumdar and Justice R G Ketkar expressed their displeasure saying: “It is unfortunate that the investigation of such a case took eight years to complete, when it is expected to be finished within a reasonable time of six months to a year.”

“There is no logic in keeping investigations pending for years together,” said Justice Majumdar adding: “Either you conclude that the complaint is baseless, or bring the culprits to book.”

Lele had moved the court after the Economic Offences Wing failed to complete investigations into her complaint involving her brother-in-law Rajendra Lele, who had allegedly cheated her of Rs 67 lakh.

Last month, the court ordered a fine of Rs 5,000 on the Economic Offences Wing official who had repeatedly failed to file a reply to Lele’s petition.

On Tuesday, Police Inspector Suhas Patil, who is in charge of the investigation, assured the court that the investigation will be completed soon and a chargesheet filed within a month.